David Duxbury is a Major Gift Officer at Hammer Residences in Minnesota. 

He’s a passionate fundraiser on a mission to increase generosity and make a significant impact on the world. 

David and I sat down for a candid conversation about his journey into generosity, which began early in his life with a series of personal challenges and traumas. But in the midst of those incredibly difficult experiences, David and his family received the generosity of others. Those early experiences shaped David’s outlook on the world, his commitment to his faith, and his desire to embrace and grow generosity in the world.

In our conversation you’ll hear David talk about generosity, humility, gratitude, and his experiences as a fundraiser early in his career. 

Some of the key takeaways from our conversation include:

• Empowering young fundraisers is crucial for the sustainability of the nonprofit sector.
• Organizations need to prioritize training and support for new fundraisers.
• Leading with humility can enhance donor relationships.
• Grateful donors tend to give more and are more engaged.
• Negative perceptions of wealthy donors often stem from misunderstanding.
• Personal stories can challenge stereotypes about wealthy individuals.
• Investing in people leads to longer retention in organizations. 
• High net worth donors share common fears and concerns.
• Authentic conversations can open doors with donors.
• Donor-centricity is about understanding and valuing the donor.
• Effective communication starts before the meeting.
• Tailoring engagement to donor preferences is crucial.
• Stewardship should honor the unique relationship with each donor.
• Transformative conversations can change donor perceptions.
• Building trust is essential for long-term donor engagement.